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“It was.”
“Does he know about you all?”
“I couldn’t tell for sure. If I had to guess, I would say he suspects something is going on but doesn’t have any proof.”
“Should we sneak up there and see if we can hear what’s going on?”
Lottie sat up, staring at Vance. “We can do that? How?”
“I’m tiny, darling. Let’s go to the roof then I can flutter down around the balcony door. I’ll just look like a large flying bug as long at the lights are on in their room. If it’s dark they’ll be able to make me out for sure.”
“Are you sure you want to do this? I’d hate to drag you into something.”
“I’m already ready. I live for drama.” Vance stood next to the door, pulling on a black hoodie.
“Let’s go then!” Lottie didn’t give it a second thought as they entered the elevator, pushing the button for the roof.
Lottie gently stepped off the elevator, looking around as if she was being followed by the FBI. Turning around to tell Vance the coast was clear, she realized he wasn’t behind her.
“Vance?” she whispered into the night.
“Up here,” a tiny voice called back. Vance had shifted into his true Fae form. He did look like a big bumblebee. He couldn’t stay still but Lottie didn’t know if that was normal, or he’d had nectar that evening.
“Beeeee right back…” he snickered lightly as he flew to the edge of the roof and fluttered down. Lottie didn’t know what to do with herself. She followed the pathways that covered the roof. There were hundreds of flowers scattered throughout the paths and a bench tucked back into a wall of foliage every so often. She passed only two other people on the roof, and they were much too involved with each other to even notice her. After what felt like hours but was only ten minutes, Vance appeared at the next bench Lottie came to. Was it possible for him to look even more pale than he had? He didn’t smile when he saw her, just stood, taking her hand, and silently guiding her back to the elevator. Once they were back in their room, Lottie couldn’t contain herself any longer.
“What’s wrong? What happened up there.”
“Lots, sit down.”
“I’d rather pace until you tell me what the hell is going on.”
Vance took a deep breath. “As far as I could see and hear, Nova wasn’t in the room.”
“Okay? And?”
“Do you know the McNamara brothers?”
Lottie did sit then. “I do, but I suspect you already knew that. They’re my uncles. What could they possibly have to do with anything?” But as soon the words left her mouth she knew. “Malta?” she guessed.
Vance nodded. “Beau hates them and by extension, you.”
“Are you sure? He hasn’t met me. I can be very charismatic,” she grinned but Vance shook his head.
“There’s more.” Lottie groaned in frustration. “What more can there be? He’s going to tell Nova and Cain to kick me out and not have anything to do with me. What can possibly be worse?”
Vance frowned. “I hate that I have to be the one to tell you this.”
Lottie waved her hand as if to say, ‘get to the point.’
Vance bit his lip, tears welling in his eyes. “Just remember, Nova wasn’t there for this conversation.”
“Vance! You’re starting to scare me. What the hell is going on?” Lottie was getting frustrated. Surely whatever he had seen or heard couldn’t be that bad.
“Beau told Cain to start that relationship with you. Beau wants to use you as a campaign example, both for Senate seat and his Jovial seat.”
“Excuse me?” Lottie jumped from the bed. “Are you fucking kidding me? Are you sure? What exactly did you hear? Does Nova know about this?” She was pacing the room again, grinding her teeth together as she did.
“Nova wasn’t there, sweetie. It doesn’t sound like she knows anything. For the Senate campaign it’ll be ‘look at this reformed’ addict. And for the Jovial, it’ll be ‘If your way is the ‘right’ way then why was I able to convert your niece?”
